An Overview: Hot Springs and North Mountain Trails
The Hot Springs and North Mountain trails are popular since they are easy to reach and provide scenic views.
30-300 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
National Park · AR
Things to do in Hot Springs
The National Park Service lists 36 things to do at Hot Springs National Park. 33 have no extra fee, 35 need no reservation, and 32 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
An Overview: West Mountain Trails
The West Mountain trails are less traveled, providing greater opportunities for wildlife sightings. You can get to these trails via Whittington Park and the Canyon Trailhead. See the West Mountain trail map for more information.
40-240 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Arlington Trail
Ask for directions to the trailhead from staff at the Arlington Hotel lobby. Arlington Trail will connect with Lower Dogwood Trail.
5-10 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Become a Hot Springs Junior Ranger
Kids visiting Hot Springs National Park may earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing a number of activities as they explore the park. The Junior Ranger booklet is available at the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center.
30-60 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Bicycle Riding
Biking through national parks is a great way to see beautiful scenery and discover new places. Cyclists are allowed and welcome to ride on any of the paved roads in the park.
Winter, Spring
Birdwatching in the Park
Birds are everywhere. They soar overhead, flit through branches, walk on the ground, and swim in the water. From the tiny calliope hummingbird to the gigantic California condor, a great diversity of birds finds a home in the national parks.
Year-round Pets allowed
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Camp at the Gulpha Gorge Campground
BASIC INFORMATION Camping at Gulpha Gorge Campground costs $34 per night for all sites. All sites have full hookups: 30 and 50 amp electric, water and sewer connections. Sites are not pull-through. Each campsite has a picnic table, pedestal grill, and water.
1-14 Days Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Canyon Trail
The West Mountain trails can be reached from downtown via Canyon Trail. The trailhead is behind the Mountain Valley Water building. The section between West Mountain Drive and West Mountain Trail is very steep.
25-45 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Drink the Water
Thousands of visitors highly endorse the good quality of the hot springs water and fill bottles to take home.
Year-round Pets allowed
Floral Trail
Floral Trail connects Lower Dogwood Trail and Honeysuckle Trail. From either trailhead you will descend into a valley and climb the other side.
20-40 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Fountain Trail
This short trail begins on Fountain Street below the entrance to Hot Springs Mountain Drive. Use it to reach Honeysuckle Trail by crossing the road.
10-25 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Goat Rock Trail
The Goat Rock trail offers stunning views of the Ouachita Mountains and the recharge zone for the thermal springs. Limited parking is available at the overlook on North Mountain. The trailhead starts south of the parking area.
30-75 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Grand Avenue Trail
Grand Avenue Trail connects Oertel Trail with Grand Avenue. A local motel lies just south of the trailhead.
10-20 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Grand Promenade National Recreation Trail
This National Recreation Trail is the entry point for many of the Hot Springs and North Mountain trails from downtown.
30-60 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Gulpha Gorge Trail
Gulpha Gorge Trail connects the Gulpha Gorge Campground to many of the park's trails. The trail going west from the campground is steep.
30-60 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Honeysuckle Trail
Honeysuckle Trail connects Peak Trail with Hot Springs Mountain Trail.
20-45 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Hot Springs Mountain Trail
Hot Springs Mountain Trail is an easy stroll around the top of the mountain with several scenic overlooks.
45-75 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Lower Dogwood Trail
Lower Dogwood Trail climbs North Mountain. Near the top, boulders mark the westernmost tip of the trail. From there, the trail drops downhill.
15-40 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Mountain Top Trail
Mountaintop trail can be linked with Canyon Trail and West Mountain trail to complete a loop around West Mountain. If hiking southward, the trail is strenuous, as it gains elevation quickly.
45-75 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Oak Trail
The northeastern end of Oak Trail is mostly flat. The trail is fairly steep for a short distance between West Mountain Trail and West Mountain Drive.
25-45 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Oertel Trail
From downtown, ascend the Stephen's Balustrade (grand staircase) behind the Fordyce Visitor Center to the Grand Promenade and climb the next two sets of steps until you reach the gravel road.
30-60 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Peak Trail
Peak Trail leads to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. The Trail is 0.6 mi (1.0 km) long with an elevation gain of 644 - 1044 ft (196-318 m). It has a 12.6% grade. The trailhead is located near the center of the Grand Promenade.
40 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Photography in the Park
Photography is an important part of national park history. Photographers took pictures to show why special places needed protection. People were able to see how beautiful and unique park landscapes were even if they could not visit them in person.
Year-round Pets allowed
Pullman Trail
The Pullman Trail is the only trail in the park that allows bicycles. This moderate trail passes an archeological site and connects with the city's Northwoods Trails.
25-45 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Reserve Trail
Reserve Trail connects Oertel Trail with Spring Street and Reserve Street at a "Y" intersection.
10-25 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Ride to the Top of Hot Springs Mountain Tower
216 feet above Hot Springs Mountain and 1,256 feet above Sea level is the breathtaking panoramic view of the park and its surrounding countryside.
1-2 Hours Year-round Fee applies
Short Cut Trail
Short Cut Trail connects Oertel Trail with Hot Springs Mountain Trail near the picnic area atop Hot Springs Mountain.
10-25 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Soak in the Springs
Even though there are no soaking opportunities outdoors, Bathhouse Row does have 2 available facilities that offer visitors the chance to fully submerge and relax in the thermal water.
60 Minutes Year-round Reservation required Fee applies
Sunset Trail
Sunset Trail is the longest trail in Hot Springs National Park, covering approximately 10 miles one-way. Crossing all types of terrain, the trail makes its way through the most remote areas of the park.
6-9 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
The Bathhouse Row Emporium
Visit the America’s National Parks™ Store at Hot Springs National Park to shop a curated selection of quality educational products and books that will help extend the park experience.
Year-round
Shopping
Tufa Terrace Trail
This paved trail can be reached from the Grand Promenade or Arlington Lawn. The lower portion of the Tufa Terrace Trail is near the Hot Water Cascade.
15-30 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Upper Dogwood Trail
Upper Dogwood trail has short rises and long stretches of flat trail. It can be combined with the Lower Dogwood Trail or the Goat Rock Trail to create a longer hike.
25-45 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Visit Display Springs
Touch the Thermal Springs
Year-round Pets allowed
Visit the Hot Water Cascade
Located at Arlington Lawn, this is the largest visible spring in the Park. Hot water emanates from the hill side near the Grand Promenade and flows under the path, down a steep cliff into two pools.
15-45 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
West Mountain Trail
Both sections of West Mountain Trail have gradual change in elevation. Note: West Mountain Trail can be made into a loop by using Mountain Top Trail (elevation change: 400 feet in this section).
30-60 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Whittington Trail
The flat, gravel trail is popular with joggers and walkers. Whittington Trail loops around Whittington Park.
20-45 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Hot Springs. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
Things to do at nearby parks
- Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site (AR)
- President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site (AR)
- Fort Smith National Historic Site (AR, OK)
- Buffalo National River (AR)
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument (IL, MS)
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield (MO)
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Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Hot Springs National Park — things to do on nps.gov